Ian Moller
Mack's spin -
Bat first catcher with huge power potential. Also, has a + defensive game.
Why not higher? Well, teams just don't like to draft prep catchers. Most don't pan out.
Still, you can't ignore this potential.
C 6-1 201 Wahlert HS (IA)
2-18-21 - PG - Top HS Prospects -
5 Ian Moller
6-1 207 R/R C Dubuque, IA Louisiana State
Advanced catch & throws skills and talented receiver; physical build with home run power right now; handles the barrel well; loud fall season. One of the best position workouts at the PG National and loud contact during games to follow. Elite in drills and games.
2-15-21 - CBS - Top 50 -
33. Ian Moller, C, Wahlert HS (IA)
Moller is a high-school catcher from a cold-weather state, suggesting he's likely to go lower than his talent would otherwise demand. The A's plucked Tyler Soderstrom 26th; the Rockies took Drew Romo 35th. Moller probably ends up in that range too. He has a good defensive foundation and a reputation for hitting the ball hard. Scouts have the same general concerns with his bat that they do almost every cold-weather hitter who may not have faced the steepest of competition. Moller is a LSU commitment, so if he slips too far, he could raise his stock with good play in the SEC.
1-14-21 - Baseball America
Ian Moller
Wahlert HS, Dubuque, Iowa C
Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 195 | B-T: R-R
Commit/Drafted: Louisiana State
Age At Draft: 18.7
The top overall prospect out of Iowa, Moller impressed scouts with his hitting ability at premium showcase events over the summer, in particular at Perfect Game’s National showcase. A Louisiana State commit, Moller entered the summer with a strong defensive reputation as a catcher—similar to Rockies 2020 draftee Drew Romo, though perhaps not quite to that level. After showing terrific timing and some opposite field and gap-to-gap pop, Moller is seen as an all-around backstop with upside on both sides of the ball. He has a simple setup in the box and doesn’t have the fastest hands, but Moller’s bat path is direct to the ball with a loose stroke and very few moving parts allow him to get to consistent launch positions. He doesn’t have plus raw power now but could get closer to that as he adds more strength and matures. Defensively, Moller has above-average arm strength that plays up with a quick transfer. He also has solid athleticism that helps his blocking ability, and strong reliable hands that should allow him to receive at a high level. The 6 foot, 195-pound backstop is a well below-average runner, but as a catcher that shouldn’t impact his profile much.
12-8-20 - Lookout Landing -
The entire narrative surrounding Ian Moller in the 2021 MLB Draft will be whether a team falls in love with him behind the plate. The bat is legit, and if a team selects him with the intention of moving him to third base, it may do well for his draft stock. There’s just so much uncertainty surrounding prep catchers as a whole right now.
Last year, many pundits, including myself, had Tyler Soderstrom a Top-15 lock. He’d fall all the way to no. 26 and Oakland. The Athletics, it seems, intend on moving him to third base.
Moller’s bat is more than loud enough to warrant first round value, it’s the rest of the profile that will need to be considered when next July rolls around.
12-5-20 - Joe @JoeDoyleMiLB
It is really hard not to fall in love with Ian Moller's bat. The Dubuque, Iowa catcher is one of the more polished sticks in the class. From his quiet setup, mechanics, to his approach to the natural loft he produces... Moller is built for the modern game. Really impressive bat.
12-3-20 - Perfect Game combined their picks for the first two rounds in this mock draft -
8. Colorado Rockies | Ian Moller, C, Wahlert | (2/37) Ty Madden, RHP, Texas
Light tower power and Colorado seem to play well together and Moller has some of the top power in the class regardless of prep or college ranks and has a very high level skillset behind the dish as well. If the Rockies have the opportunity to take Moller this high in the first round, they should be excited about a player with his skillset, given that he is the top prep catcher in the 2021 class. Madden may be the steal of this Mock Draft as he slid into the second round for the Rockies to nab. Madden has good stuff from his over the top arm angle, showing a fastball that gets into the upper-90s with a plus slider and a solid curveball as well. The strike throwing ability and stuff he has at present, plus the projection left with him, have to be an exciting component for a player that falls into the early second round. -Greg Gerard
Cervino’s Take: The Rockies go back-to-back on day one prep catchers as they grab the top prep catcher in Ian Moller and get great value with Ty Madden out of Texas in the second round. Moller offers the rare combination of defensive ability along with being an advanced bat while Madden has real first round potential as a Friday night Big 12 starter with a plus slider. Moller’s power and Madden’s sinker-slider combination should play well at Coors field and the Rockies take a couple of impact pieces.
11-24-20 - Prospects Worldwide Mock Draft -
21. C Ian Moller
School: Walhert HS, IA | Commit: LSU | B / T: R / R | Ht: 6’1 | Wt: 200lbs | Age: 18.6
It’s not often you see a Catcher who possesses one of the better bats in the class, (50 Hit, 60 Power), a strong Vertical Bat Angle (VBA) and bat path. There is some swing and miss here, but generally offset by a good eye at the plate that should see his fair share of walks.
Defensively, Moller shows strong catch and throw ability ability from a quick release and (60) Arm. An improved overall game behind the plate in terms of receiving and blocking shows a future (55) Defender. Built to last at the position with a strong, durable frame, Moller is an easy fit as a middle of the order bat that can rival most any in the class. High School Catchers are generally a very risky 1st Round investment… but the toolset is something not many catchers have shown at this level in recent years. And I’m buying it. There’s some similarities to Wilson Contreras here, maybe even a bit more offensive upside.
11-11-20 - Prospects Live Top 300 Prospect List -
24. Ian Moller - C
Bio:
Height: 6-1
Weight: 201 lbs
Hits/Throws: R-R
Hometown: Dubuque, IA
School: Wahlert
Advanced, simple, clean right-handed swing with present power and impressive bat path with an optimized VBA. Moller effortless gets to his power in game thanks to a highly efficient, advanced swing that modern teams with a lift-centric approach will covet. Plenty flexible and comfortable behind the plate with a strong, accurate arm exhibiting strong pop times under 2.00 seconds flat. Should stick behind the plate. 30 runner. Moller has been a standout this summer. Prep catchers are always a volatile demographic as it pertains to overall draft value, but Moller's entire package suggests he should become the third prep catcher in the last seven years to go in the first round joining Tyler Stephenson and Tyler Soderstrom.
10-1-20 - BA -
Ian Moller, C, Iowa (Wahlert HS, Dubuque)
An LSU commit, Molller is the top-ranked 2021 high school catcher in the country and the highest-ranked player (No. 13) at the Future Stars Series. Moller bolstered his status this summer with loud showings at big events, though he didn't perform to that same level here, going 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and a deep sacrifice fly to the center field warning track. His swing has plenty of bat speed to help him generate power, something he showed off at Fenway Park with multiple balls landing over the Green Monster in batting practice. It's a quick swing with good rhythm and a path geared to hit the ball in the air, though he chased a couple of high fastballs for strikeouts and had a few other 86-88 mph fastballs that he swung through in the strike zone. Defensively, Moller stood out for his athleticism, quickness, flexibility and agility behind the plate. He has earned high marks from scouts for his defense, though his hands and blocking were inconsistent here, with a strong arm but throws that tailed away and into center field on steal attempts.
Click here for the full list of Mack's MLB Draft Scouting Reports.
2 comments:
Miller would be great to draft after round 1, if still around.
Moller will go in round two.
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